Tensions Flare Between Protesters, BART In Oakland

OAKLAND (CBS13) -- A brief skirmish between demonstrators and BART police appeared to result in the detention of several protesters Wednesday night.

At least 1,000 people gathered for the "Occupy Oakland" rally in the plaza outside Oakland's city hall early Wednesday evening in a generally peaceful protest, but after word spread of a rumored crackdown on another demonstration in San Francisco, a number of protesters tried to travel to the threatened event through the 12th Street BART station.

A number of BART police officers in riot gear blocked the entrance, and when protesters attempted to move past them, officers pulled down a security grate to block the entrance and detained the demonstrators who had passed beyond the gate.

Dozens of furious demonstrators chanted "Oscar Grant" at the officers who blocked their path, a reference to the unarmed man fatally shot by a BART officer on New Years Day 2009.

It wasn't immediately clear if the detained protesters will face criminal charges.

Wednesday's event came a day after a violent clash left an Iraq War veteran and protester in critical condition with a fractured skull.

Demonstrators at "Occupy San Francisco" said they feared a police raid would take place sometime early Thursday morning but said they had not seen any arrests Wednesday night.